Oh, that is genuine neo-gothic architecture, very impressive! Also, it's very rare in Russia (here mostly pseudo gothic buildings which bare some resemblance to its inspirational style). I can remember only one famous genuine neo-gothic building in whole Moscow: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral ... n_(Moscow)

I like the abandoned places and deserted buildings, so nice to explore the abandoned roads and railroads.
It is sad with the trash and pollution.
I really like old car graveyards and places like that, where you can see cars from the 40:s or so. Trees growing right through and stuff like that
I don't think there are much places like that left in Sweden, or the abandoned places like in your pictures. Sadly they have been "cleaned up"

My most epic ride yet, the pinnacle of summer 2019! I've decided to try different approach to long-distance riding and bought a petrol generator. Some of you probably seen my brief report here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=97328&p=1492708#p1492708

In this topic my report should be not so brief! Ok, let's go.

I've start with quick local market research. Soon i've found smallest and lightest generator from widely presentent ones. It was popular chinesse built inverter model which can be find all around the world, locally known as "Patriot 1000i". Then i've simply attached it by strap to side of my trunk:

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I've start generator and plug my 7,5A charger in, that went well. From that point i've got myself "constant" source of 600W power capacty. My calculations were simple: 6 kW*h in battery + (10 hours * 0,6kW from generator) = 12kW*h power within 10 hours ride. With top speed around 50 km/h, average speed around 40 km/h and average power consumption around 30 Wt*h/km that gives me 400 kilometers of day ride! For comfort and safety reasons i consider to myself no more than 350 km per day with little overhead. Soon i've went to my first two-day weekend test trip with generator. I've rode for 19 hours and cover a distance of 521 km with 8 litres of petrol for generator.

My first refuelling stop. After four hours of nonstop running my generator got it first stall. I've put some gasoline from canister into generator and after couple hiccups i've got power again! I've covered 143 kilometers from home so far.

This funny airplane-shaped things must be some protectors from... debacle, i suppose?

All went suprisingly well! Noise from generator was tolerable, no break-downs nor hickups whatsoever. Total fuel consumption from my rough reconing - around 2 liters per 100 kilometers, not great, not terrible!

I don't want to pretend, that was hard. My main concerns was about spine (i've worn backpack whole trip) or about butt (that was obvious thought)... But, to my surprise that was inner part of thighs to gave up first! Hurt like hell after trip, but it was worth it

I was so overwhelmed after my trip to Tula oblast, that i didn't ride for almost a month. I've commuted and rode for everyday needs, but not to distant locations. And on the verge of summer end i've finally crawled from my sofa and went to abandoned A-35M battle station.

I've just installed new trunk and desperately tried to stuff it with camping gear:

That 25 tonne silo lid should be opened in fractions of second to make a way for 33 tonne anti-balistic interceptor with pick velocity up to 200g's. That is incomprehensible combination of masses, velocities, speeds and timings.

Just look at this test launch (it's from much modern ABM system, but enough to get a point):

Those ABM interceptors was equipped with thermonuclear warheads. Fight nuclear fire with a nuclear fire!

To find a little warhead somewhere behind horizont and aim an interceptor to eliminate it - hard task even by today standards. This ABM system was developed in late 50's. We shall never knew how effective it was... and that's a good thing.

After my visit to Dog House remainings i've went to my friend's dacha. Beautiful colors of sunset on my way back:

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Night was cold and morning started with heavy dew. I've opened my trunk to dry it:

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After a couple a weeks i've went to abandoned S-25 SAM system site.
Just a some facts about it:
1)Development starts in late 40's.
2)Modern A-107 and A-108 circumstantial roads around Moscow - was built exclusively for deployment of S-25 system. Megatonnes of reinforced concrete was buried there.
3)Some SAM missiles was equipped with nuclear warheads. They were supposed to blow armadas of B-52's from the Soviet skies.
4)Unlike modern ones that SAM system was completely stationary! 56 battle station sites was builded around Moscow, all with concrete roads, auxiliary supply bases, personnel settlements and whole bunch of other expensive military stuff. That was a project with unbelievably scale of epicness!

Let's see, what remains of one of battlestations. Old concrete roads in deep forest: